Floating boat trailer

ABSTRACT

A boat towing system for towing a boat behind a vehicle comprising a boat trailer having a frame constructed and arranged with a first portion and a second portion that are pinned together to permit one section to move relative to the other section. The second portion is constructed and arranged to accommodate floatation panels. A spring biased buckle is mounted on the second portion and has a strap which has a hooked portion on its distal end. The boat towing system further comprises an attachment mount connected to the vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser.No. 12/267,181, filed Nov. 7, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,780,182, which isa Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 11/735,650, filed Apr.16, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,455,310, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/792,898, filed Apr. 18, 2006,which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When an automatic latching device is used or is not used as part of aboat trailer, the boat needs to be propelled up onto the trailer withsufficient speed and momentum to engage the bow roller or an automaticlatching device. The typical approach is to keep the trailer on theloading ramp and the back half under the water. This then requires morespeed or momentum for the boat to reach the bow roller or automaticlatching device as the boat has to be driven up the incline of thetrailer. This in turn causes added wear on the automatic latching devicedue to the impact force.

It would be an improvement to the typical boat loading procedure when anautomatic latching device is used to be able to float the trailer in thewater so that less speed and less momentum is required to ramp the boatonto the trailer and engage the automatic latching device. In fact, theboat, while at idle speed, can be loaded onto the trailer and engage theautomatic latching device with a minimal impact force. By floating thetrailer in the water, the buoyancy of the boat is maintained throughouta majority of the loading process and this further contributes to thefact that there is less of an impact force on the automatic latchingdevice and the boat hull.

However, if low water conditions exist at the loading ramp, the boattrailer wheels can still be in contact with the river bed or the loadingramp surface when the boat trail is in the maximum back-in position andnot floating.

By using air springs in the trailer suspension system, the trailer frameis lowered when the air pressure is exhausted and boat keel pressure isapplied to the trailer back keel roller. This can be accomplished byconnecting the air spring air supply to the trailer tongue cylinder rodextending air supply. When the trailer tongue cylinder air supply isreversed, so as to lower the hinge and the front portion of the trailerframe, the air springs air supply would be exhausted. A suitable airspring for this application is offered by Firestone under their“SPORT-RITE” brand, with a six inch stroke.

However, a floating boat trailer may still face certain difficulties.For example, when launching a boat from a floating boat trailer, crosswinds, river currents or boat wakes may exert perpendicular forces onthe trailer itself. These external forces create an undesirablesituation as it is important during the loading and launching process tomaintain the launching vehicle and trailer in a relatively straightline. Therefore, it would be an improvement to provide a floating boattrailer capable of resisting the forces described above in order toallow for safe and effective loading and launching of a boat.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an improved boat trailer and boat towingsystem. The claims, and only the claims, define the invention.

A boat towing system for towing a boat behind a vehicle comprising aboat trailer having a frame constructed and arranged with a firstportion and a second portion that are pinned together to permit onesection to move relative to the other section. The second portion isconstructed and arranged to accommodate floatation panels. A springbiased buckle is mounted on the second portion and has a strap which hasa hooked portion on its distal end. The boat towing system furthercomprises an attachment mount connected to the vehicle.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved boattrailer and boat towing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floating boat trailer, with a boatthereon, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partial, perspective view of the FIG. 1 floating boattrailer, without the boat.

FIG. 3 is a partial, perspective view of the FIG. 1 floating boattrailer prior to being deployed into the water.

FIG. 4 is a partial, perspective view of the FIG. 1 floating boattrailer depicting the first step in the deployment.

FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of the FIG. 1 floating boattrailer depicting the second step in the deployment process.

FIG. 6 is a partial, perspective view of the FIG. 1 floating boattrailer as arranged for storage.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an air spring suspension systemcomprising part of the FIG. 1 floating boat trailer.

FIG. 8 is a partial, perspective view of an alternative stabilizer padstructure comprising part of the FIG. 1 floating boat trailer.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a floating boat trailer, without a boatthereon, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10A is a partial, perspective view of the FIG. 9 floating boattrailer being deployed into the water.

FIG. 10B is a partial, perspective view of the FIG. 9 floating boattrailer being deployed into the water.

FIG. 11 is a partial, perspective view of a stabilizing plate comprisingpart of the FIG. 9 floating boat trailer.

FIG. 12 is a bottom, plan view of the stabilizing plate of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of the stabilizing plate of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a partial, end elevational view of a hitch and plate assemblycomprising part of the FIG. 9 floating boat trailer.

FIG. 15 is a partial, perspective view of the hitch and plate assemblyof FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a floating boat trailer, without a boatthereon, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a partial, perspective view of the FIG. 16 floating boattrailer being deployed into the water.

FIG. 18 is a top, plan view of the spring pod device depicted in FIG.16.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the components of the spring pod device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device, and such further applicationsof the principles of the invention as illustrated therein beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a floating boat trailer 20according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Boat trailer 20is constructed of tubular metal material. Two floatation panels 19 arelocated at the rear of the trailer, inside the frame and under the guiderail bunkers (see FIG. 2). Each floatation panel 19 is a relativelylarge panel of floatation material securely attached to the frame of thetrailer adjacent the wheels and below the guide rails 33 and 33 a. Eachfloatation panel 19 is an encased “block” of styrofoam that is sized forthe size and weight of the corresponding trailer considering thenecessary buoyancy. The styrofoam block can be a single piece or made upof multiple panels. In the disclosed embodiment, each panel 19 measures2 feet by 4 feet by 4 inches. The encasing structure is constructed andarranged with straps or brackets or similar structures to facilitatesecure attachment to the frame. The specific design for these attachmentaccessories depends on the specific construction of the correspondingtrailer.

An air compressor and solenoid valve components can be constructed andarranged as part of the trailer tongue 22. High pressure hoses 37connect the air compressor and solenoid valve to the tongue-mounted aircylinder 23 and the air springs 21 (see FIG. 7). The trailer tongue ishinged at hinge location 27 and the air cylinder 23 is connected betweenthe tongue 22 and the winch stand 24 (see FIG. 3). A hydraulic systemcould be used to provide the required operating pressure. However, theair cushion feature provided by the pneumatic cylinder would not beavailable.

FIG. 6 represents storage options for the trailer tongue 22 and winchstand 24 when the boat and trailer are being stored during the “offseason”. In FIG. 6, the trailer tongue 22 can be raised upright, tovertical, and this reduces the overall length, thereby facilitatingstorage.

Referring again to FIG. 1 and considering FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, when theboat 25 and trailer 20 are being towed, air pressure is applied to oneend of air cylinder 23 and to the air springs 21 so that the air springs21 and piston rod 26 are extended (see FIG. 3). Additionally, the aircylinder 23 and the air springs 21 act as shock absorbers that reducethe trailer hitch and ball bounce that can be caused by the flexing ofthe trailer frame.

One function of the trailer hinge is to move the trailer pivot pointfrom the hitch ball to the hinge location 27. When preparing to load theboat 25 onto the trailer 20, the lower hinge bolt 28 (see FIG. 3) isremoved prior to backing the trailer 20 into the water. The floatationpanels 19 and the construction of trailer 20 allows the trailer to floaton the surface of the body of water as the trailer 20 is backed into thewater by the towing vehicle 18 (see FIG. 3). When the trailer hitch onthe towing vehicle is approximately at the water's edge, the airsolenoid valve is energized by a remote control transmitter and receiver29 and this causes compressed air to be delivered to the opposite end ofthe air cylinder 23 and this retracts the piston rod 26 (see FIG. 5) andexhausts the air springs air supply. Retracting of the piston rod 26lowers the hinged end of the trailer tongue into the water. The “front”section of the tongue is extended on the underside by spring steel plate30, which extends toward the hinge location 27 and overlaps the hingelocation 27. The construction of the disclosed structure includes thespring steel stabilizer blade 30 (see FIGS. 4, 6). As the hinge location27 is lowered into the water, the stabilizer blade 30 is lowered intothe water. The spring steel extension stabilizer blade 30 is forced tobend around the hinge when the cross member 36 contacts the bottom ofthe body of water by the action of the air cylinder or alternatively thecross member 36 applies pressure to the ramp surface (see FIG. 4). Theuse of stabilizer blade 30 is to prevent the floating trailer frommoving or shifting sideways.

With the disclosed structure in this described state or condition, aboat can now be driven at idle speed onto the trailer and its forwardmovement is guided by the guide rails 33 and 33 a and a pair ofspaced-apart bunkers 33 b that remain deployed above the surface of thebody of water (see FIG. 2). When the boat keel contacts the centerroller at the back of the trailer, the trailer is forced a few inchesunder water. Contact is maintained between the boat and trailer due tothe upward floatation pressure. As the boat keel passes the forward endof the bunker rails, it contacts a guide roller 35 mounted on a springsteel plate that extends forward from a trailer cross member. The guideroller applies centering pressure to the keel as it is depressed andguides the keel mounted U-bolt into the auto latching device 34. Autolatching device 34 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,896, issued Jul.29, 2003 to Hyslop. The '896 patent is incorporated by reference herein,in its entirety.

When the boat is fully forward on the trailer, it is secured by theautomatic latching device 34 (see FIGS. 1, 5). Air pressure is nowapplied to the opposite end of the air cylinder and to the air springs.This extends the piston rod 26 and inflates the air springs 21, causingthe trailer tongue to straighten (see FIG. 3) and thereby raising theboat. The boat and trailer can now be removed from the water. The lowerhinge bolt 28 is now replaced (see FIG. 3), the winch strap and tiedowns are attached, and the boat and trailer are then ready to travel.

When launching a boat, the tie downs and winch strap are removed. Thefloating boat trailer 20 is backed down the ramp into the water. Themotor is started. A remote transmitter button is depressed, sending asignal to the receiver, which energizes the pneumatic solenoid valve,sending air pressure to the tongue mounted air cylinder, exhausting theair springs air, and the cylinder rod 26 is retracted. The cylinderaction operates hinge location 27 and the stabilizer blade 30 crossmember 36 contacts the ramp or the bottom of the body of water so as tokeep the boat and trailer in position while unloading. The automaticlatching device 34 is opened by depressing a hand-held transmitter,which energizes a pneumatic solenoid valve, that directs air pressure tothe latching device air cylinder. Now the boat can be backed off thetrailer under power and full control.

With regard to FIG. 8, an alternative design to the use of the springsteel stabilizer blade 30 is provided. The FIG. 8 embodimentcontemplates the use of two spaced-apart stabilizer pads 40 that aremounted on the cross member 36 at the end of the spring steel tongueextension 30 and are constructed and positioned in the mannerillustrated. It is contemplated that these two stabilizer pads 40 willalso be controlled by air cylinder 23 and the spring steel tongueextension stabilizer pads will accommodate different surfaces anddifferent depths.

With reference now to FIGS. 9, 10A, and 10B, there is illustrated afloating boat trailer 50 according to another embodiment. In many ways,boat trailer 50 is similar to boat trailer 20 described above; however,boat trailer 50 does not include the remote controlled pneumaticcylinder operation of the tongue hinge, automatic latching device 34 andair springs 21. As described above, stabilizer blade 30 of trailer 20prevents the trailer from moving or shifting sideways. In thisadditional embodiment, the tongue stabilizer blade 30 is replaced with astabilizing system 60, which includes, among other things, at least onespring biased buckle 61 and a stabilizer rod 71.

Boat trailer 50 is constructed of tubular metal material. Boat trailer50 includes guide rails 51 and winch stand 53. As illustrated, thetrailer is made of two portions that are pinned together at hingelocation 55, which allow the two portions to move relative to oneanother. However, a lower hinge bolt 56 is provided to prohibit thepivoting movement of the two portions about hinge location 55. Boattrailer 50 is mounted to a hitch draw bar 58, which is connected tostabilizing plate 57. In the disclosed embodiment, stabilizing plate 57measures 0.25 inches by 4 inches by 3 feet. Like boat trailer 20 of FIG.1, boat trailer 50 includes at least two floatation panels.

Stabilizing plate 57 is fitted to the hitch draw bar 58 and held inplace by a ball nut 83 (see FIG. 11). As noted, trailer 50 includesstabilizing system 60, which includes spring biased buckles 61 andstabilizer rod 71. A spring biased buckle 61 is mounted near each end ofstabilizing plate 57. Each spring biased buckle 61 contains a strap 63which has a mounting hook 65 at its distal end. The handle of springbiased buckle 61 dictates the operation of the buckle. When the handleis in its “up” position, strap 63 can freely extend from buckle 61;however, when the handle is in its “down” position, strap 63 is lockedand prevented from extending from buckle 61.

Strap eyebolts 67 are fixedly attached to trailer frame 59. In thedisclosed embodiment, strap eyebolts 67 are installed approximately 6feet back from hinge location 55. As shown, the ends of stabilizer rod71 are angled 75. Angled end portions 75 have a diameter less than thebody portion of rod 71. While in storage, these angled rod portions 75assist in holding rod 71 in place by a pair of rod eyebolts 73, whichare fixedly attached to trailer frame 59 (see FIG. 10A). Additionally,as described in more detail below, angled rod portions 75 allow forstabilizing plate 57 to properly receive rod 71 when rod 71 is in use.In the disclosed embodiment, stabilizer rod 71 measures 6 feet in lengthand 1 inch in diameter.

Referring more specifically now to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, near each end ofstabilizing plate 57 are holes 85. The depth of hole 85 is extended byattaching a pipe coupling 62 and a supporting brace 95. In oneembodiment, pipe coupling 62 and brace 95 are welded to the underside ofstabilizing plate 57, though other methods for affixing coupling 62 andbrace 95 to plate 57 are contemplated. In the disclosed embodiment, hole85 and pipe coupling 62 have a 0.75 inch diameter. Therefore, in thedisclosed embodiment, angled portion 75 has a diameter of less than 0.75inches in order for it to be received by hole 85 and pipe coupling 62.As noted above, stabilizing plate 57 is fitted to the hitch draw bar 58and held in place by a ball nut 83. Recess 93 is dimensioned to properlyreceive hitch draw bar 58. Hitch draw bar 58 is set between ball hitch81 and ball nut 83. Hitch mount 91 is dimensioned to properly receive athreaded rod having a length sufficient to extend through hitch draw bar59, hole 91, and threaded onto ball nut 83. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15,a drawbar cover 97 is welded to stabilizer plate 57 to reinforce plate57 and compensate for recess 93.

As previously discussed, it is important to hold the boat trailer 50against the wind, river currents and boat wakes when launching a boatinto a lake or river. When the trailer wheels are in the water, butbefore the trailer 50 and boat are floating, the winch strap isdisconnected from the boat. Then, the strap 63 from spring biased buckle61 is extended and hook 65 is connected to strap eyebolt 67. Undernormal conditions, the lock down feature of buckle 61 is enough to keepthe trailer 50 in line with the towing vehicle (see FIG. 10A). However,certain winds or currents may require additional support to maintainsuch alignment. When necessary, stabilizer rod 71 can be installed onthe down river side of the trailer outer frame 59 (see FIG. 10B). Inthis instance, one angled rod portion 75 is set into hole 85, while theother angled rod portion 75 is set into rod eyebolt 73. Stabilizer rod71 holds against the current, while the strap 63 is pulling against thecurrent on the other side of the trailer 50. When buckle straps 63 havebeen connected to strap eyebolt 67 and stabilizer rod 71 has beeninstalled (if conditions require the use of rod 71), the trailer 50 andboat can then be backed into the water. Once the boat is floating, itmay be backed away from the trailer under its own power and fullcontrol.

If trailer 50 is equipped with an automatic latching device 34 (asdescribed hereinabove), the launching sequence is modified slightly.Again, when buckle straps 63 have been connected to strap eyebolt 67 andstabilizer rod 71 has been installed (if conditions require the use ofrod 71), the trailer 50 and boat can then be backed into the water. Tolaunch the boat, the automatic latching device 34 is shifted bydepressing a hand-held transmitter, which energizes an electric solenoidthat shifts the device to the launch-load position. With the boat nolonger attached to the trailer, the boat motor can then be started andthe boat backed off the trailer under power and full control.

When loading a boat, the boat trailer 50 is backed into the water.Before the trailer 50 is floating, a strap 63 is attached to each sideof the trailer at strap eyebolt 67. A trailer jack roller (not shown) islowered into the water and operated to remove pressure from the hingebolt 56 so that it can be removed. The trailer jack roller is nowretracted, which allows the hinge 55 to lower the trailer frame 59 intothe water. The trailer can now be backed into the water and the boatloaded. A boat can now be driven at idle speed onto the trailer 50 andits forward movement is guided by guide rails 51 and guide roller 35that remain deployed above the surface of the water. When the boat keelcontacts the center roller at the back of the trailer 50, the trailer 50is forced a few inches under the water. Contact is maintained betweenthe boat and trailer due to the upward floatation pressure.

Once the boat is loaded, the trailer 50 is pulled out of the water asufficient distance so that the trailer jack handle can be reached. Thetrailer jack roller is lowered until the hinge bolt 56 can be replaced,after which the jack is retracted to its up storage position. The winchstrap of winch stand 53 is attached and the boat is secured. The boatand trailer can then safely be removed from the loading ramp. However,it is important that the straps 63 and stabilizer rod 71 be removed andthe spring biased buckles 61 operated to retract the straps 63 beforeleaving the ramp area because the towing vehicle may not turn properlywhile they are installed.

With reference now to FIGS. 16 and 17, there is illustrated a floatingboat trailer 100 according to a further embodiment. In many ways, boattrailer 100 is similar to boat trailer 50 described above. However, inthis embodiment, boat trailer 100 does not include the stabilizing plate57 mounted to hitch draw bar 58.

Boat trailer 100 is constructed of tubular metal material. Boat trailer100 includes guide rails 101 and winch stand 103. As illustrated, thetrailer is made of two portions that are pinned together at hingelocation 105, which allow the two portions to move relative to oneanother. However, a lower hinge bolt 106 is provided to prohibit thepivoting movement of the two portions about hinge location 105.

A spring biased buckle 109 is attached on both sides of trailer frame107. In one embodiment, the spring biased buckles 109 are installedapproximately six feet back from hinge location 105. Each spring biasedbuckle 109 contains a strap 111 which has a mounting hook 113 at itsdistal end. The handle of spring biased buckle 109 operates the ratchetto remove any strap slack and dictates the operation of the buckle. Whenthe handle is in its “up” position, strap 111 can freely extend frombuckle 109; however, when the handle is in its “down” position, strap111 is locked and prevented from extending from buckle 109.

As previously discussed, it is important to hold the boat trailer 100against the wind, river currents and boat wakes when launching a boatinto a lake or river. When the trailer wheels are in the water, butbefore the trailer 100 and boat are floating, the winch strap of winchstand 103 is disconnected from the boat. Then, the strap 111 from springbiased buckle 109 is extended and hook 113 is connected to a spring poddevice 115, which is discussed in further detail below. The spring poddevice 115 is in turn connected to a vehicle mount 117. As illustrated,spring biased buckle 109, strap 111, hook 113, spring pod device 115 andvehicle mount 117 work together to create a stabilizing system 120. Inother embodiments, hook 113 may be directly connected to vehicle mount117. Once strap 111 and spring pod device 115 have been put into place,trailer 100 and the boat can then be backed into the water. Once theboat is floating, it may be backed away from the trailer 100 under itsown power and full control.

If trailer 100 is equipped with an automatic latching device 34 (asdescribed hereinabove), the launching sequence is modified slightly.Again, when buckle straps 111 have been connected to spring pod device115 and the spring pod device 115 has been connected to vehicle mount117, the trailer 100 and boat can then be backed into the water. Tolaunch the boat, the winch strap of winch stand 103 is firstdisconnected from the keel eye bolt. Next, start the boat motor. Theautomatic latching device 34 is shifted by depressing a hand-heldtransmitter, which energizes an electric solenoid that shifts the deviceto the launch-load position. With the boat no longer attached to thetrailer, the boat can be backed off the trailer under power and fullcontrol.

When loading a boat, the boat trailer 100 is backed into the water.Before the trailer 100 is floating, buckle straps 111 are attached to aspring pod device 115, which is then connected to vehicle attachment117. A trailer jack roller (not shown) is lowered into the water andoperated to remove pressure from the hinge bolt 106 so that it can beremoved. The trailer jack roller is now retracted, which allows thehinge 105 to lower the trailer frame 109 into the water. The trailer 100can now be backed into the water and the boat loaded. A boat can now bedriven at idle speed onto the trailer 100 and its forward movement isguided by guide rails 101 that remain deployed above the surface of thewater. When the boat keel contacts the center roller at the back of thetrailer 100, the trailer 100 is forced a few inches under the water.Contact is maintained between the boat and trailer due to the upwardfloatation pressure.

Once the boat is loaded, the trailer 100 is pulled out of the water asufficient distance so that the trailer jack handle can be reached. Thetrailer jack roller is lowered until the hinge bolt 106 can be replaced,after which the jack is retracted to its up storage position. The winchstrap of winch stand 103 is attached and the boat is secured. The boatand trailer can then safely be removed from the loading ramp. However,it is important that the spring biased buckles 109 are operated toretract the straps 111 before leaving the ramp area because the towingvehicle may not turn properly while they are installed.

As described above, hook 113 of strap 111 can directly attach to vehiclemount 117. However, when the boat is launched in high currentconditions, the rigidity of stabilization system 120 can put a largeamount of force on vehicle mount 117. Therefore, in the illustratedembodiment, spring pod device 115 is placed between strap 111 andvehicle mount 117. Spring pod device 115 provides a means to absorb, atleast a portion, of those forces and they compensate for trailer tovehicle misalignment when the spring biased buckles 109 are in the lockdown position or the trailer is being moved into or out of the water.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, the outer portion of spring pod device115 comprises a first cap 121, a second cap 123, and a housing 125. Inone embodiment, caps 121, 123 and housing 125 are made of polyvinylchloride. FIG. 19 provides an exploded view of the inner components ofspring pod device 115. The inner components of spring pod device 115comprise a first U-rod 131, a compression spring 133 and a second U-rod135. In the illustrated embodiment, first U-rod 131 and second U-rod 135have curved ends.

To create a counteracting unit, the open ends of U-rod 131, 135 are fedthrough opposite ends of compression spring 133. The curved ends ofU-rods 131, 135 hold the U-rods in proper position and prohibit themfrom sliding back, through the compression spring 133. During use, hook113 connects with the outer end of U-rod 131 and the outer end of U-rod135 connects with vehicle mount 117. As will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art, the counteracting forces exerted on the outerends of U-rods 131, 135 are, at least partially, absorbed via thecompression of compression spring 133. However, the tension ofcompression spring 133 still provides a considerable amount rigidity tostabilization system 120 and maintains trailer 100 substantially in linewith the towing vehicle.

While the preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described indetail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it beingunderstood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

1. A boat towing system for towing a boat behind a vehicle, said boattowing system comprising: a boat trailer comprising: a frame constructedand arranged with a first portion and a second portion that are pinnedtogether to permit one section to move relative to the other section, afloatation means assembled to said boat trailer for enabling said secondportion to float in water, and a spring biased buckle mounted on saidsecond portion, said spring biased buckle having a strap which has ahooked portion on its distal end; and an attachment mount connected tosaid vehicle.
 2. The both trailer system of claim 1, wherein saidattachment mount is constructed and arranged to receive said hookedportion.
 3. The boat trailer system of claim 1, further comprising aspring pod device, said spring pod device is constructed and arranged toreceive said hooked portion, said spring pod device is constructed andarranged to attach to said attachment mount.
 4. The boat trailer systemof claim 3, wherein said spring pod device comprises a compressionspring.
 5. A boat towing system for towing a boat behind a vehicle, saidboat towing system comprising: a boat trailer comprising: a frameconstructed and arranged in a first portion and a second portion thatare connected together to permit said second portion to move relative tosaid first portion; a floatation means assembled to said boat trailerfor enabling said second portion to float in water; and, a stabilizationmeans for maintaining said frame in line with the vehicle, saidstabilization means comprise a spring biased buckle mounted on saidsecond portion and an attachment mount connected to said vehicle, saidspring biased buckle having a strap which has a hooked portion on itsdistal end.
 6. The boat trailer system of claim 5, wherein thestabilization means further comprise a spring pod device, said springpod device is constructed and arranged to receive said hooked portion,said spring pod device is constructed and arranged to attach to saidattachment mount.
 7. The boat trailer system of claim 6, wherein saidspring pod device comprises a compression spring.
 8. A method forlaunching a boat from behind a vehicle, the vehicle having an attachmentmount, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a boat trailercomprising: a frame constructed and arranged in a first portion and asecond portion that are connected together to permit one section to moverelative to the other section; and floatation means assembled to saidboat trailer for enabling said second portion to float in water; (b)providing a connecting means for connecting the trailer and the vehicle;(c) lowering the boat trailer into the water; (d) before said secondportion begins to float in the water, attaching the connecting means;(e) continuing to back the boat trailer into the water such that saidsecond portion floats in the water; and (f) backing the boat away fromthe trailer.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the connecting meanscomprise a spring biased buckle mounted on the second portion, thespring biased buckle having a strap which has a hooked portion on itsdistal end.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein step (d) comprisesattaching the hooked portion to the attachment mount.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the connecting means further comprise a spring poddevice.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein step (d) comprises attachingthe hooked portion to the spring pod and attaching the spring pod deviceto the attachment mount.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the springpod device comprises a compression spring.